Slam the Hammer Down (1984)

Slam the Hammer Down is a promotional single, released by CBS in 1984 from the band's studio album Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song was written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and produced by Lea.

BackgroundThe 1983 success of Quiet Riot's version of Slade's 1973 UK chart topper "Cum On Feel the Noize" led to Slade signing with CBS for their first American record deal since the 1970s. The label soon repackaged the band's 1983 album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome into Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. "Run Runaway" successfully broke the band in America, where it reached No. 20, while "My Oh My" reached No. 37. Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, released in April, reached No. 33.

During 1984, "Slam the Hammer Down" was also released as a promotional-only 12" vinyl single by CBS. For the release, Shep Pettibone was commissioned to remix the song into two versions: "Hot" on the A-Side and "Hotter" on the B-Side. In 2007, the "Hotter" remix was included on the 2007 Salvo remaster of The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome. The "Hot" remix remains only available on the original 12" vinyl.

"Slam the Hammer Down" opens with a shouted soliloquy by Holder from a helicopter. The song's lyrics have double-sided meanings of motor racing and sex. Speaking of the song's lyrics in a 1984 fan club interview, Holder said: "Another motor-racing theme - translate the double meaning at your leisure." The band performed the song at the 1984 Montreux Festival.

Critical receptionContemporary reviews

In a review of The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, Record Mirror commented: "Off we go with "Slam the Hammer Down", a meaty great splodge of gut gurgling notes and Holder's voice freshly rubbed down with 00 gauge wire wool."

Jerry Harris of Sounds highlighted "Slam the Hammer Down" as one of his favourite tracks from the album. He described it as "classic Slade party material".

Kerrang! said in their review of the album: "Noddy Holder only has to turn on that formidable voice on the opening "Slam the Hammer Down" and you know straight away Slade will never abandon the battle while there's spirit enough left to fight It. Now this is the Slade we've known and loved and laughed with for years - a raucous, rollicking and simply addictive little riot that kicks the album off with a resounding start - no wonder people are rediscovering rock 'n' roll these days."

In a review of Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, Chicago Tribune said: "It's all loud, aggressive music, and new Slade numbers such as "Slam the Hammer Down" should satisfy even the most demanding metal-head."

Retrospective reviews

In a 1986 fan club poll, fans voted "Slam the Hammer Down" at No. 3 of the band's top three best album tracks.

In a retrospective review of The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, Joe Geesin of Get Ready to Rock! said "The riffs were still big, and the solos were if anything better, more metal, if commercial metal (check out opener "Slam the Hammer Down")."

In the album's 2007 Salvo remaster liner notes, writer Chris Ingham said of Pettibone's remixes: "Turning up the saxophones, turning down the guitars and making more of the chant in the bridge, Pettibone made an entertaining and credible alternative to the album mix."